Automatic phonograph



Feb. 25, 1947. JENSEN 2,416,445

AUTOMATIC rnonoennn Filed Nov. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 72 o 7 89 39 HQ!" 0 7 60 5'5 9 o O I 83 e4 7 80 5a 40 m a5 a4 88 I 5 86 o H F' 1 43 i uvmvrm 23 Herman G Jensen FLIy. 8A ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1947. H. G. JENSEN 2,416,445

AUT OMAT I C PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Herman 5. Jensen ATTORNEY Fb. 25, 1947. H. G. JENSEN 2,416,445

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 45 67 77 Fz 'y.4 HI

0 II. 7 77 Herman G Jensen 70 3 68 e9 73 ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1947. H. G. JENSEN 2,416,445

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed Nov.-4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NNN NNN n T6 mJ WQ m H Patented Feb. 25. 1947 2,416,445

UNITEDfl/STATES PATENT, OFFICE 1 f 2,41s,445", .7 g

UTOMATIC QQ Q H. llerman Iensen, Chicago, assignor P.- I

v Sceburg Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corpora- 7 tion of Illinois. e Application November 4, 1944,'Serial-No. 561,985

12 Claims. (Cl. 177--353) This invention relates to automatic phonographs of the multiselective;type in which any of a plurality of records may be selected for p1aying at will.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improved multiselective phonograph in which any number of selections may be made in chronological orderand will be reproduced in that order.

A. further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for storing a large number of selecting signals.

Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the signal storin means and associated parts:

Fig.2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of elements associated with the signal recording head;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of mechanism associated head;

with the signal recording.

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism associated with the signal pickup When the pickup head has scanned a signal and the eraser heads, parts being broken away on the drum and effected the displacement of the for the sake of clarity; corresponding selector member, the pickup head Fig. 7 is a' fragmentary plan view showing part is rendered inoperative. When the phonograph of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6; has determined from the displaced selector mem- Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the me hanism her the recording to be played, the selector memshown in Fig. 1 together with. a wiring diagram; her is returned to normalwposition so that the .Fig. 8A is a continuation of Fig. 8; and pickup head is againoperative to pick up the Fig. 9 is an elevational view,- partly in section, next signal from the drum and project the correa modified form of signal storing drum. sponding selector member. In accordance with the present invention 1 Thus if the operator dials several selections provide a magnetic storing, device upon which corresponding signals are applied to the drum selecting signals are stored. The ma netic memand during the playing of the corresponding reber may suitably be a steel drum. The selecting cordings the phonograph is normally playing -a signals may be constituted by a series of magrecording and the selector member corresponding netizedspotsapplied to the drum by a moving to the next recording is displaced After the recording head. playing recording is completely reproduced the The embodiment of the invention illustrated record changing mechanism of the phonograph is adapted for a phonograph having one hundred goes into operation to initiate the playing of the available recordings. The number of magrecording corresponding to the displaced selector netized spots is suitably controlled by a manually member. During that record changing cycle actuated dial and it is convenient to arrange the the displacedselector member is returned to its mechanism so that each signal is constituted by initial position andthe pickup head is put into two separate trains of magnetizedspots applied operation to pick up the next signal from the by'two consecutive operations ofthe dial. The drum and displace the selector member correrecordings are suitably numbered from 00 to 99.

If the number 0' is dialed, a suitable number of spots", for example three are applied to the surface of the drum. If the number 9 is dialed, twelve magnetized spots are applied to the drum and so forth. Two consecutive actuations of the dial apply two trains of spots to the drum, the two trains being in alignment and being separated so that the pickup head picks uptwo trains of signalswhen passing over the same line on the drum. After each double train of spots is applied-to the drum, the drum is stepped and any number of double trains, corresponding to the desired recordings can be applied to the drum, the various signals being spaced in the circum ferential direction of the drum due to its-stepping. The pickup head is carried by the drum during each step it' makes. The pickup head goes into operation after a double train of impulses has been applied to the drum so as to pick up the first selecting signal. On each operation of the pickup head it steps in the opposite direction so that the signals are picked up one at a time for the selection of. the corresponding signal on the phonograph. The operation of the pickup head is controlled by the presence of one or more signals recorded on the drum'and by the phonograph. The phonograph comprises a series'of selector members arranged to be displaced to effect the playing of the corresponding recording.

sponding thereto. After that recording has been reproduced. the pickup head becomes operative to pick up the next signal and so on. The general operation is that the operator can apply to the drum any desired number of signals. These signals are stored on the drum in the form of magnetized spots and the pickup head picks up the signals one at a time as the recordings are reproduced. eventually depleting the stored signals.

Means are provided for erasing the magnetized spots af er they are utilized by the pickup head so that the drum is left in its original unmagnetized condition.

The phonograph remains in operation playing the recordings in the order in which they were wise merely the matter of convenience. 'Any other known type of impulser may be employed for ap plying selected numbers of magnetized spots to the magnetizable storing member.

My invention is applicable to any phonograph having a plurality of movable selector elements each corresponding individually to. and controlling the operation of the phono raph to reproduce a corresponding recording. The present inven tion is illustrated in its application to the phonograph and mechanical selector described and claimed in the copending applications of Mahlon W. Kenney and Herman G. Jensen, Ser. No. 505.776. filed October 11, 1943. now U. S..Letters Patent 2.382.487. granted August 14. 1945, and Ser. No. 561.986 filed November 4, 1944, now U. S. Letters Patent 2.392.488. granted August 14. 1945. This phonograph will therefore be quite briefly described in relation to the parts thereof illustrated which cooperate with the present invention.

The phonograph referred to comprises one hundred selector bars arranged in equally spaced relation on an are or circle. Each of these bars is adapted to be displaced from normal position by means of an actuator 2| which moves upwardly when an electromagnet 22 is energized.

After the stepper mechanism 23 has received two trains of impulses and located the actuator 2| in register with the bar 20 corresponding to these two trains the magnet 22 is momentarily energized and the actuator is moved upwardly to displace the corresponding bar 20. Thereafter the actuator 2| automatically returns to its initial position. Each bar 20 is grounded and when it is displaced upwardly a projection 21 carried b the bar engages a conductive ring 28. When any bar 20 i displaced upwardly the relay 29 is energized and the normally open switch 30 is closed. The switch 30 is located in the circuit of the phonograph motor 3|, energy being supplied to the motor from the power lines 32. Immediately the phonograph motor 3| starts a switch 33 in parallel with the switch 30 becomes closed and remains closed until the recording is completely reproduced. At the end of the reproduction the record changing mechanism of the phonograph opens the switch 33 and if the switch 30 is then open the phonograph motor stops. Im-

mediately the phonograph 3| starts to operate it The actuator 2| is stepped around by means of a stepping unit 23 which is controlled by two trains of impulses supplied by the lines 24 and 25. The first train of impulses displaces the actuator 2| ten bar spaces for each impulse. the first train of impulses bein the decade impulses. The second train of impulses, the units impulses, steps the actuator 2| one bar spacing for each impulse. The mechanism is arranged so that each train comprises between three and twelve impulses. Thus if the dial 26 is operated to dial the No. 00 two trains of three impulses are created which are eventually supplied to the stepper 23 bringing the actuator 2| thirty-three bar spacings from its initial position into register with the bar 20 controlling the selection 00. If the No. 99 is dialed, two trains of twelve impulses are created which are eventually supplied to the stepper 23 stepping the actuator 2| one hundred and thirty: two bar spacings from its initial position to bring the actuator into register with the bar 20 corresponding to selection No. 99. If intermediate numbers are dialed the actuator 2| is brought into register with the bar 20 corresponding to the number dialed. 1

drives a disc 34 through at least one revolution'j until theabutment 35 carried by the disc 34 engages the particular 'bar 20 which has been displaced. The drive disc 34 is frictional so that it may be arrested by engagement between the abutment 35 and the projected bar 20. The position of the disc 34 determines the record which is to be played and after. that has been determined automatic means including the plunger 36 returns the arresting bar 20 to initial position.

A steel drum 3! is mounted by a shaft 38 ina stationary frame 39. The shaft is connected by means of a slipping clutch 40 to a shaft 4| in axial alignment with the shaft 38. The shaft 4| is connected by a suitable gear reduction 42 to the selector motor 43. Consequently the motor tends to drive the drum 31 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from above.

The endless reversing screw 44 is mounted verticaily in the frame 39 adjacent the drum 31. A

magnetic recording head 45 is mounted on the screw 44 and on two parallel rods 46 so that the head is moved up and down over the surface of the drum 31 as the screw 44 is driven in one direction. The screw 44 is connected through a friction clutch 41 with a shaft 48 in alignment with the screw 44. The shaft 48 rigidly carries a pulley 49 around which passes a belt 50 which is driven by a pulley 5| rigidly mounted on the shaft 4 l. Rigidly mounted on the screw 44 is a toothed wheel 52 which may suitably be part of the clutch 41. A dog 53, pivotally mounted at 54 on the frame 39 normally engages the toothed wheel 52 so as to prevent rotation of the screw 44. The dog 53 is adapted to be moved away from the toothed wheel'52 by means of an electromagnet 55. Consequently when the electromagnet 55 is energized and the motor 43 is running the screw 44 is driven. The dog 53 carries a pawl 56 which is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 51 mounted on the frame 39. When the magnet 55 is deenergized and the dog 53 is in engagement with the wheel 52 an arm on the pawl 58 engages a stationary abutment 53 so that the pawl is held clear of the ratchet wheel 51. A holding dog 59 is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 57. This dog is normally held outof engagement with the ratchet wheel 51 by means of a projection extending from the recording head 45. In the normal condition of the mechanism the recording head 45 is in its lowermost position and the electromagnet 55 is deenergized so that the ratchet counterclockwise direction by a spring 6|. The normal position of the ratchet wheel 51 is determined by a pin 62 which projects through a slot 63 on theratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel 51 carries a pin 64 which is adapted to cooperate with a switch 65, the pin being arranged to close this switch after the pawl 56 has displaced the-ratchet wheel 51 two teeth spaces from its normal position. The dog 59 is grounded and when it moves into engagement with the ratchet wheel 51 it engages and grounds a contact 66 carried by and insulated from the frame 39.

The head 45 carries an abutment- 61 which is adapted to engage the linked elements 68 and 69 when the head moves towards its lowest position. The element 68 is a link pivotally mounted on the frame 39. The element 69 is an arm which is pivotally connected to the link 68. The arm 89 extends inwardly towards the center of the drum being guided through a slotted element 18 carried by the frame 39. The arm 69 is biased upwardly by a spring 1| and outwardly by a spring 12. Near its inner end the arm 69 is provided with a shoulder 13 which is adapted to engage an escapement 14 which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 15 rigidly carried on the lower side of the drum. When the member 69 is moved inwardly its shoulder 13 swings the escapement 14 in the clockwise direction as viewedfrom above. Continued inward movement of the arm 69 brings its inner cam-shaped end 16 into engagement with a roller 11 so thatthe arm 69 is forced downwardly so that its shoulder 13 disengages the escapement 14. This escapement then moves in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from above under the influence of its spring 18. These two movements of the escapement 14 permit the motor 43 to drive the drum 31 one tooth space of the ratchet wheel 15 or two tooth spaces of the inwardly directed teeth 19 at the bottom edge of the drum.

A frame 80 is pivotally mounted on the shafts 38 and 4|. This frame serves as a mounting for an endless reversing screw 8| similar to the reversing screw 44. The reversing screw is connected by a fraction clutch 82 to a shaft 83 in alignment with the screw 8|. The shaft 83 has rigidly securedthereto a pulley 84 which is'driven by a belt 85, which belt passes over a pulley 86 on the shaft 4|. The screw 8| rigidly carries a toothed wheel 81 which is adapted to cooperate with a pivoted dog 88. In normal condition the dog 88 prevents drive of.the shaft 8|. The dog 88 is adapted to be attracted by an electromagnet 89 carried by the frame 88. It will thus be seen that when the electromagnet 89 is energized and the motor 43 is operating the screw 8| will be continuously driven. The frame 88 comprises three vertical bars 98 in parallel relation to the screw BI. A double head'unit comprising a pickup head 9| and an erasing head 92 are mountedpn the bars 98 and on the screw 8| so that they move up and down over the drum when the screw 8| is driven. The double head unit cooperates with two switches 93 and 94 so as to open these switches when the double head unit moves towards its lowest position. Immediately the double head unit starts to rise the switches 93 and 94 close. y g

The head 92 carries a downward projection 95 which is adapted in the lowermost position of the head to engage one arm of a bell crank lever 96 pivotally mounted on the frame 88 so as to swing it into its full line position in Fig. 6

which is connected to the bars 46. One of these against the tension of a strong spring 91. The other arm of the lever 96 is connected by an articulated link 98 to a member 99 which projects downwardly from an arm I88 which is pivotally mounted on. the axis of a pinion I83 which meshes with the teeth 19 at the lower end of the drum 31. The arm I88 carries a spring pressed dog I 8| which engages the teeth of the pinion I83. When the double head 9|, 92 starts to rise the spring 91 moves the bell crank lever 96 into its dot dash position in Fig. 6 swinging the arm I88 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from above. Stops I84 limit the movement of the arm I88 so that the dog I8I moves the pinion two teeth. A spring pressed member I86 holds the pinion I83 against accidental movement. When the heads 9| and 92 again reach their lowermost position the arm I88 is moved in the clockwise direction as viewed from above and the dog I8| slips past two teeth on the pinion I83, the member I06 preventing rotation of the pinion I83. 1

The head 45 carries an electromagnet I81 bars is grounded. The other bar is connected to the impulse switch I88 of the dial 26. The other side of the switch I88 is connected by a, line I89 to the amplifying and the electrical unit ,II8. This unit supplies the line I89 with a suitable magnetizing current. This current may suitably be a direct current having a 60 cycle component. As the head 45 moves up over the surface of the drum 31 and the switch I88 is closed repeatedly, the electromagnet I81 applies a plurality of spots of magnetization to the'gdrum along the line of travel of the electromagnet I81. The number of these spots corresponds to the number of times the switch I88 closes.

The head 9| carries a similar magnet III which is adapted to pick up 60 cycle frequency impulses as this head moves past the spots of magnetization. One side of the electromagnet is connected to one of the bars 98 which is grounded. The other side of this electromagnet is connected to an insulated bar 98, which bar is con.- nected toa line 2 which supplies the signal picked up to amplifying and detecting means in the unit III). This unit supplies the amplified and rectified impulses to the lines 24 and 25 which supply them to the stepping unit 23. The head 92 carries a similar electromagnet II3 which is in vertical alignment with, and below the electromagnet III. One side of the electromagnet I I3 is connected to the grounded bar 98. Its other side. is connected to the third bar 98 which is insulated and is connected by a line 4 to the unit H8. The unit |I8 includes an oscillator which supplies high frequency voltage to the electromagnet I I3 so that this electromagnet serves 'to erase spots of magnetization after the III has picked up the signals terial H5 and holds open a switch 6 on the.

frame 39.

The dial 26 is preferably of the type described and illustrated in the copending application Sei. No. 524,232,- filed February 28,- 1944, by Mahlon W. Kenney and Hugh H. Davis. .This dial has associated with it a switch II1 which is closed automatically when the dial 26 is manually actuated and released. The arrangement is such that the switch II1 closes before the switch I66 starts to close and open in response to the dialing. One side of the switch I I1 is grounded. The other side of the switch I I1 is connected to one side of a relay I I6 and to the switch 65. The other side of the switch 65 is connected to the contact 66. The other side of the relay H9 is connected to a line II9 which is connected to the secondary of a transformer I20 in the unit I III. This transformer supplies A. C. current of suitable voltage for the operation of the relay II8, the electromagnet 55, the motor 43, the electromagnet 89 and the relay 29. The line I I 9 is connected to one side of each of the normally open switches I2I and I22 which are adapted to be closed by the relay II8 when it is energized. The other side of the switch I2I is connected to the electromagnet 55, the other side of this magnet being grounded. The other side of the switch I22 is connected to the ungrounded terminal of the motor 43. The line H9 is connected to one side of each of the switches 93 and 94, to one side of the switch I I6 and to the relay 29. The other side of the switch I I6 is connected to one side of each of two normally closed switches I23 and I26.

When the relay 29 is energized the switches I23 and I26 open. The other side of the switch I23 is connected to the electromagnet 89, the other side of which is grounded. The other side ofv they switch I 26 is connected to the ungrounded termi-, ha] of the motor and to the other side of the switch 94. The other side of the switch 93 is connected to the .ungrounded side of the magnet 89.

The operation for a single selection will now be described. If the operator desires to select recording No. 64, for example, he dials six and after the dial 26 has returned to normal position he dials four. During the first dialing the operator releases the dial so that it starts moving back to its normal position. The switch I I1 closes and 1 the relay I I6 is energized closing switches I2I and I22 50 that the motor 43 is put into operation and the electromagnet 55 is energized lifting the dog The 1 53 out of its engagement with the wheel 52. motor drives the screw 44-50 that the head 45 moves upwardly thereon. The upward movement of the dog 53 engages the pawl 56 with the ratchet wheel 51 and moves it one tooth in the clockwise direction. The proiection 60 on the head 45 moves upwardly from the dog 59 so that this dog engages the ratchet wheel 51 and engages the contact 66, After the upward movement of the head 45 is initiated the impulse switch I98 of the dial closes nine times and nine spots of magnetj ization are applied to the surface of the drum 31. It is to be noted that a single actuation of the ratchet wheel 51 does not close the-switch 65. After the dial 26 has returned to its normal position the switch II 1 opens, the relay I I6 is deener- 1 gized and the motor 43 stops leaving the head 45 at a position intermediate of the drum 31. It is to be noted that during this operation of the motor the drum remains stationary since it is The 65 is energized so that the upward movement of the head is resumed. After this resumption the switch I08 closes seven times in succession applying a second train of magnetized spots in vertical alignment with the first train on the drum 31. In this case also the drum 31 and the screw 8| remain stationary, The second energization of the magnet effects the second movement of the ratchet wheel 51 so that the switch is closed. At the end of the movement of the dial the switch Ill-opens but the relay I I8 remains energized, its circuit being completed through switch 65 and contact 66 which is engaged by the grounded dog 59. after the two trains of impulses have been applied by the head 45 the screw 44 continues to rotate bringing the head 45 to its highest position and then down to its normal position. As the head 45 approaches its normal position it actuates the linkage 68, 69 so that the escapement 14 is oscillated by the shoulder 13. Continued inward movement of the arm 69 moves its cam-shaped end 16 below the roller 11 so that the shoulder 13 clears the escapement and the spring 18 returns the escapement 14 to its.normal position. During the oscillation of the escapement 14 the motor 43 drives the drum through an angle corresponding to two of the peripheral teeth on the drum with the result that the line of magnetized spots is displaced two tooth spaces in the counter-clockwise direction into the position of the magnet III in Fig. 2. However the same movement of the drum carries the frame 89 two tooth spaces in the clockwise direction. This two tooth displacement of the frame 86 with the drum closes the switch II6. After the two tooth displacement of the drum 31 the projection 60 engages the dog 59 raising its tooth out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 51 and breaking its engagement with the contact 66. This breaks the circuit of the relay H8 so that the magnet 55 is deenergized and the dog 53 descends locking the screw 44 against rotation. The downward movement of the dog 53 brings the pawl 56 into engagement with the abutment 58 so that the pawl is raised away from the ratchet wheel 51.

The ratchet wheel 51 is now free to return to its normal position under the influence of its spring 6 I. Consequently the head 45 is left in its lowermost position ready for another selection to be dialed.

The deenergization of the relay II 8 does not terminate the operation of the motor since the circuit of the motor is, completed through the normally closed switch I26 and the switch II6 which became c'osed as a result of the two tooth movement of the drum 31. The closing of the switch I I6 also completes the circuit of the magnet 89 through the normally closed switch I23. The energization of the electromagnet 69 lifts the dog 88 clear of the toothed wheel 61 on the screw 8| so that the double head 9|, 92 is driven upwardly. Upward displacement of the double head closes switches 93 and 94 so that the motor circuit is complete and the electromagnet 89 remains energized until the double head again returns to its initial position notwithstanding that the switch I I6 and the switches I23 and I26 may be opened before that return. The initial upward movement of the double head 9|, 92 raises the projection 95 from the bell crank lever 96 so that the dog IIlI rotates the pinion I93 two teeth in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 moving the frame 99 two teeth in the clockwise direction as viewed in that figure.

Consequently This brings the magnets II I and II 3 back to their position shown in Fig. 2 so that they are in alignment with the double train of magnetized spots. It is to be noted that the two trains are separated owing to the fact that the switch II'I started the operation of the motor for recording the second train of impulses on the drum, a short time before the switch I88 started to close during the second dialing. The motor 43 continues the upward displacement of the double head 9| and 92 over the double train so that the electromagnet ||I picks up signals corresponding to the double train with the result that two trains of impulses, in this case nine and seven impulses respectively are supplied to the steppin mechanism 23. After. the magnet picks up these impulses the electromagnet ||3 erases the spots of magnetization from the drum. After the double head has moved upwardly over the drum it is driven down again by the screw 8| so that the switches 93 and 94 are opened and the arm I08 is returned to its normal position. Before the double head 9|, 92 has returned to its normal position the double train of impulses supplied to the stepping mechanism 23 have caused the actuator 2| to be moved into alignment with the bar corresponding to selection 64 and the magnet 22 has moved the actuator 2| upwardly. This puts the phonograph motor 3| into operation to reproduce recording No. 64 and after this selection has been determined the electromagnet I36 is energized to force the plunger 36 downwardly returning the actuated bar to its initial position. After the recording has been reproduced the switch 33 opens and the phonograph ceases to operate.

If the operator dials up a plurality of selections, for example if he makes five selections by dialing ten times, five double trains of magnetized spots are applied to the surface of the drum. These lines of spots are separated because the drum moves two teeth (19) in the counterclockwise direction after each units dialing. After the first movement of the drum the switch 6 closes and the screw 8| is driven so that the head 9| picks up a record selecting signal from the first line of magnetized spots putting the phonograph into operation to reproduce the first recording. When the first selected bar 20 is displaced upwardly the screw 8| continues to drive because the switches 93 and 94 are closed until the heads 9| and 92 return to their lowermost position. This complete return may occur after the bar 20 corresponding to the first selection has been returned to its normal position. Inthis event the screw 8| continues to operate, the circuit ofthe motor 43 being completed through the closed switch 6 and the closed switch I26 and the electromagnet 89 being energized through the closed switches I I6 and I23. The switch I I6 is closed because the 4 frame 80 was displaced ten teeth (19) in the clockwise direction by the dialing up of five selections and it was returned two teeth as a result of the upward movement of the heads 9| and 92. The

switches I23 and I26 are closed because no bar' 20 is displaced upwardly. The continued operation of the screw 8| results in the head 9| picking up impulses corresponding to the second selection so that the corresponding bar 29 is displaced upwardly while the first selection is being reproduced. Here again the screw 8| continues to drive as a result of the closing of the switches 93 and 94 until the heads 9| and 92 return to their lowermost position opening the switches 93 and 94. The motor 43 now ceases to operate since the switch 94 is open and the switch I26 is open as a result of the displaced condition of the bar 29 corresponding to the second selection and the energization of therelay 29. After the first recording has been reproduced, the phonograph motor3| continues to operate to reproduce the second selected recording returning the bar 20 corresponding to that recording to its initial position. The motor 3| continues to operate after the return of this bar because the switch 33 is closed before the bar 20 is returned. Return of the bar 20 corresponding to the second recording deenergizes the relay 29 so that the switches I23 and I26 close again completing the circuit of the motor 43 and the circuit of the electromagnet 89 so that the bar 20 corresponding to the third selection is displaced and the switches I23 and I26 are opened so that the motor 43 stops until-that displaced bar has been returned to its initial position. This sequence is repeated until all the signals have been picked up from the drum and all the corresponding recordings have been reproduced. It is to be noted that the line of spots corresponding to the last selection are located invertical alignment with the position of the magnet I II in Fig. 2. When the head 9| starts to move upwardly to pick up the last selection from the drum the magnet III is located two teeth spaces (19) to the right of its position in Fig. 2 and the switch I I6 is closed. When the bar 20 correspondin to the second last selection is returned to its normal position the shaft 8| starts to drive the heads 9| and 92 upwardly closing the switches 93 and 94. After these switches are closed the dog ||l| becomes effective to move the frame into its position of Fig. 2 so that continued upward movement of the head 9| brings the magnet III upwardly over the last line of magnetized spots. This displacement of the frame 80 opens the switch ||6 so that when the heads 9|, 92 return to their lowermost position and open the switches 93 and 94, the drive of the screw 8| is terminated until after the last bar 29 has been returned to its normal position and further selecting signals are made bythe dial 26. After the last recording has been reproduced the switch 33 is opened and the phonograph is completely stopped until a further selection or selections are made.

.It is to be noted that a very large number of selecting signals may be stored on the drum 31. The dot and dash position of the frame 80 in Fig. 2 corresponds to a condition in which approximately fifty selections are stored. It will of course be readily understood that it is merely a matter of design to adapt the device for the storage of any possible desired number of stored selections.

In the embodiment of the invention described I have employed a drum having a continuous surface. In Fig. 9 I have showna modified form of drum having separated bars I39 of steel or other suitable magnetic material for individual reception of trains of magnetized spots corresponding to selections. The bars I39 may be mounted in suitable fashion on upper and lower discs I3| so as to constitute a drum. The lower disc I3I carries a toothed annulus I32 corresponding to the teeth I9 of the first described embodiment. It will of course be understood that the bars I30 are angularly displaced so that they align with the operating positions of the magnets 45, III, and II3.

Although the invention has been describ'ed in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim: 1. In an automatic phonograph, in combination,

netized spots to said member, means for moving said recording means in a line on said member during the application of said spots, a pickup member adapted to pick up impulses from said line of spots, means for moving said pickup member along said line and means for relatively stepping said magnetizable member to remove the line away from the recording means and into register with the pickup member before the pickup member is moved over said line to pick up a signal therefrom.

2. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a relatively large magnetizable member, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said member, means for moving said head in a line over said member as the spots are being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said member after each line of magnetized spots is applied whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said member, a pickup head adopted to pick up impulses from said lines of spots, means preventing relative movement between said member and said pickup head by the first mentioned stepping means, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses, and means for relatively stepping said pickup head and said member into alignment with successive lines, between successive pickup operations, whereby impulses are picked up l'rom each line seriatim in the order in which the signals were applied to said member.

3. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a relatively large magnetizable member, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said member, means for moving said head in a line over said member as the spots are being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said member after each line of magnetized spots is applied, whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said member, a, pickup head adapted to pick up. impulses from said spots, means for moving said pick up head along a line of magnetized spots of said member during the pickup of said impulses, means for bringing said pickup head into alignment with the first line of unscanned spots after each pickup operation whereby impulses are picked up from each line in the order in which the signals were applied to said member, and means controlled by said recording head for rendering said pickup head operative after a line of spots has been applied to said member.

4. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a relatively large magnetizable member, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said member, means for moving said head in a line over said member as the spots are being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said member after each line of magnetized spots is applied, whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said member, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from said spots, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses, means for relatively stepping said pickup head and said member to bring the pickup head into alignment with successive lines, between successive pickup operations whereby impulses are picked up from each line in the order in which the signals were applied to said member, means controlled by said recording head for rendering said pickup head operative after a line of spots has been applied to said member, displaceable selector members controlled by said pickup head, and means controlled by any displaced selector member for rendering said pickup head inoperative.

5. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a relatively large magnetizable member, signal recording means adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots to said member, means for moving said recording means in a line on said member during the application of said spots, means for stepping said magnetizable member after each line of spots is applied wherebya plurality of lines of magnetized spots may be applied to the magnetizable member, a pickup member adapted to pick up impulses from said lines of spots, means for moving said pickup member along said lines and means for locating said pickup member in alignment with the first line of unscanned spots after each pickup operation, whereby the pickup head may pick up signals from the series of lines of spots seriatim.

6. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a relatively large movable magnetic member, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said member, means for moving said head in a line over said member as the spots are being applied, means for stepping said member after each line of magnetized spots is applied whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said member, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses fiom said lines of spots, means connecting said pickup. head to said member whereby the pickup head moves with the member during its stepping movements, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses and means for stepping said head relative to said member into, alignment with succesr sive lines after each pickup operation whereby member as the spots are being applied, means for stepping said member after each line of magnetized spots is applied, whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said member, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from said lines of spots, means connecting said pickup head to said member whereby the pickup head moves with the member during its stepping movements, means for bringing the pickup head into alignment with the first line of unscanned spots, means for moving said pickup head over said member during the pickup of said impulses and means controlled by said recording head for rendering said pickup head operative after a line of spots has been applied to said member.

8. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, 7 a relatively large movable magnetic member, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said member, means for moving said head in a line over said member as the spots are being applied, means for stepping said member after each line of ma:-

13 netized spots is applied whereby any desired number ot lines of spots may be applied on said member, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from said spots, means connecting said controlled by any displaced selector member for rendering said pickup'me'ans inoperative.

9. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a magnetizable drum, signal recording meansv adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots to said drum, means for moving said recording means longitudinally on said drum during the application or said spots, means for relatively stepping said recording means and said drum whereby a plurality of spaced lines of magnetized spots may be applied to the drum, a pickup member adapted to pick up impulses from said lines of spots, means for moving said pickup member along said lines .and means for relatively stepping said pickup member and said drum after each pickup operation, to bring said pickup member into alignment with the first line of unscanned spots, whereby the pickup member may pick up signals from the series of lines of spots seriatim.

10. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a magnetizable drum, 9. recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said drum, means for moving said head longitudinally on said drum as the spots are being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said drum after each .line of magnetized spots is applied whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said drum, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from the resulting lines of spots, means preventing relative displacement of-said pickup head and drum by said stepping means, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses, and means for relatively stepping said pickup head and said member after each pickup operation, to bring the pickup head into alignment with the successive lines whereby impulses are picked up from each line seriatim in the order in which the signals were applied to said drum. i

11. In an automatic phonograph, in combination, a magnetizable dr'um, a recording head adapted to applya plurality of lines of mag netized spots on said drum, means for moving said head longitudinally on said drum as each line of spots is being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said drum after each line of magnetized spots is applied whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said drum, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from said lines of spots, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses, means for relatively stepping said pickup head and said drum after each pickup operation, to bring the pickup head into alignment with the first line of unscanned spots whereby impulses are picked up from each line in the order in which the signals were applied to said member, and means controlled by said recording head for rendering said pickup head operative after a line of spots has been applied to said drum.

12. In an automatic phonograph,in combination, a relatively large magnetizable drum, a recording head adapted to apply a plurality of lines of magnetized spots on said drum, means for moving said head longitudinallyon said drum as a line of spots is being applied, means for relatively stepping said head and said drum'after each line 01' magnetized spots is applied whereby any desired number of lines of spots may be applied on said drum, a pickup head adapted to pick up impulses from said spots, means preventing relative displacement between said pickup head and said drum by said stepping means, means for moving said pickup head over said lines during the pickup of said impulses, means for relatively stepping said pickup head and said drum after each pickup operation, to bring the pickup head into alignment with the first unscanned line of spots, whereby impulses are picked up from each line in the order in which the signals were applied to said drum,-means controlled by said recording head for rendering said pickup head operative after a line of spots has been applied to said drum, a plurality of displaceable selector members controlled by said pickup head, and means controlled by any displaced selector member for rendering said pickup head inoperative.

HERMAN G. JENSEN.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the ills of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,342,652 Eakins Feb. 29, 1944 2,371,491 Wright Mar. 13, 1945 847,157 Brown Mar. 12, 1907 2,206,550 Mordin July 2, 1940 2,301,965 Shepherd Jan. 12, 1943 2,188,650 Clark Jan. 30, '1940 2,080,100 Tascheck May 11, 1937 

